Empire State Craft Fair First Event for new Erie Canal Village

The Empire State Craft Fair opens on Saturday, May 23rd, at Erie Canal Village and runs through the three days of this coming Memorial Day Weekend. Hosting over 100 regional vendors, the Village will be open to the public for free. Visitors will find thousands of unique, one-of-a-kind items including jewelry, knitted clothing and accessories, hand made soaps, and even swords. Additionally, face painting by Mrs. Magical and balloon art by Magical John. Local services groups will also be there with their community outreach programs.

Beginning at 10:00 AM on Saturday morning, and open until 6:00 PM, guests can enjoy free entertainment including the Magical John Show in the Tavern Green or tour environmental areas that are staged to provide a glimpse of life as it was in earlier times. The Coppertree SCA group will demonstrate period arts from the Renaissance, complete with battle scenes provided by the Knights of the Fiat Lux in full armor. The 157th New York Volunteers will show camp life as it was during the Civil War. You can even stop by and chat with Queen Victoria and, if she feels amused, you can pose for a "selfie" with her.

"The Empire State Craft Fair is all about fun, as well as crafts" said Danielle Gorton-Williams, speaking on behalf of the new management team at Erie Canal Village. She expressed the hope that everyone who cares about the history and traditions of this area will come out to see the progress that's being made at the Village. "We're proud to be able to display these crafts in an historic setting like The Village", she said.

The public will be able to see the progress that's already being made in the restoration of the Village. A few of the buildings will be open to the public including the Canal Museum, the old McConnellsville Depot, and the Cheese Museum. Even the gardens are starting to come back. Landscapers have been clearing away years of overgrowth that have obscured views of the Village.

Fences and gates that used to keep people out of the Village are now gone. Entry and parking are now free and everyone is invited to attend the Fair. “Come by and see what we have been able to accomplish in just three weeks”, invited Timothy Shannon, who’s management team took over the Village on May 1st. The Village is located at 5789 Rome-New London Road, at Routes 46 and 49 in Rome, New York.

For further information, contact Danielle Gorton-Williams, Creative Director, at (315) 281-8181.

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